Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Parks & Nature
Big beautiful redwoods! You can access the trailheads at the South Boundary just a few blocks from our house. The Visitor Center is at the other end of the park in Felton. The Redwood Loop trail is ideal for small kids.
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdBig beautiful redwoods! You can access the trailheads at the South Boundary just a few blocks from our house. The Visitor Center is at the other end of the park in Felton. The Redwood Loop trail is ideal for small kids.
Seabright State Beach
Huge beach with fire pits.
A favorite spot for both hiking and mountain biking. There is also a cute farm with spots to picnic and visit animals like chickens, goats and horses.
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Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdA favorite spot for both hiking and mountain biking. There is also a cute farm with spots to picnic and visit animals like chickens, goats and horses.
A gorgeous beach with some hiking trails to explore as well.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrA gorgeous beach with some hiking trails to explore as well.
Food Scene
The Cremer House
6256 CA-9Cute little restaurant with great local wine and beer.
Super yummy Mediterranean/ Afghan food (with particularly good vegetarian options) in a beautiful setting.
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Laili
101 Cooper StSuper yummy Mediterranean/ Afghan food (with particularly good vegetarian options) in a beautiful setting.
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveA favorite local spot for sandwiches and yummy treats.
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveA more upscale restaurant and bar.
A fun Hawaiian themed restaurant and bar with lots of good seafood and vegetarian options and fun cocktails.
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Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StA fun Hawaiian themed restaurant and bar with lots of good seafood and vegetarian options and fun cocktails.
A great spot for groups with delicious food and local beer/ wine. It's in the same complex as a bunch of great wineries and breweries.
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West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StA great spot for groups with delicious food and local beer/ wine. It's in the same complex as a bunch of great wineries and breweries.
Fantastic Italian food... I dream about their black truffle stuffed gnocchi.
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Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveFantastic Italian food... I dream about their black truffle stuffed gnocchi.
Creative sandwiches and salads that you can eat on their patio or take to-go for a picnic on the beach! Also, Penny's ice cream.
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The Picnic Basket
125 Beach StCreative sandwiches and salads that you can eat on their patio or take to-go for a picnic on the beach! Also, Penny's ice cream.
The Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar StA local favorite with unique flavors.
Ambrosia India Bistro - Scotts Valley
6006 La Madrona DrGreat Indian food with a huge menu.
A fun spot for sushi... the owner puts on a show of sorts with a sake bomb domino on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Mobo Sushi
105 River St SA fun spot for sushi... the owner puts on a show of sorts with a sake bomb domino on Friday and Saturday nights.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the newest (and best!) breweries in town. While there is a small indoor area, it is mostly outdoor seating.
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Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StOne of the newest (and best!) breweries in town. While there is a small indoor area, it is mostly outdoor seating.
Possibly the best beer in town, they are especially known for their delicious sours. Leslie's favorite beer in the entire world might be their vanilla coffee porter, Vanilla Joe.
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Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
103 Kennedy DrPossibly the best beer in town, they are especially known for their delicious sours. Leslie's favorite beer in the entire world might be their vanilla coffee porter, Vanilla Joe.
A great brewery with an AWESOME farm-to-table menu. They have both indoor and outdoor areas, and it is one of the more kid-friendly spots in town.
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Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveA great brewery with an AWESOME farm-to-table menu. They have both indoor and outdoor areas, and it is one of the more kid-friendly spots in town.
They have 30 rotating taps of delicious and unique brews, a 21 and over game area, and a more family oriented beer garden area.
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Beer 30
2504 S Main StThey have 30 rotating taps of delicious and unique brews, a 21 and over game area, and a more family oriented beer garden area.
Soquel Vineyards
8063 Glen Haven RdReally yummy Pinot Noir and beautiful views.
One of our favorite spots to wine taste, great Pinot Noir and unique Portuguese varietals. Try the port!
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Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StOne of our favorite spots to wine taste, great Pinot Noir and unique Portuguese varietals. Try the port!
Part of the complex with many local wineries, I enjoy relaxing on the couch here with one of their sparkling wine flights.
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Equinox Sparkling Wine
334 Ingalls StPart of the complex with many local wineries, I enjoy relaxing on the couch here with one of their sparkling wine flights.
Entertainment & Activities
A favorite family spot... ride a steam train through the redwoods or down to the Boardwalk! We also enjoy picnicking there and feeding ducks.
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Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdA favorite family spot... ride a steam train through the redwoods or down to the Boardwalk! We also enjoy picnicking there and feeding ducks.
All sorts of rides for kiddos and adults alike set against the backdrop of the beach!
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StAll sorts of rides for kiddos and adults alike set against the backdrop of the beach!
They have a huge selection of stand up paddle board rentals and gear. They'll help you get boards on your car and recommend the best spot to go depending on if you're looking for a mellow paddle, small surf, etc.
Covewater Paddle Surf
726 Water StThey have a huge selection of stand up paddle board rentals and gear. They'll help you get boards on your car and recommend the best spot to go depending on if you're looking for a mellow paddle, small surf, etc.
Sightseeing
The ultimate Santa Cruz spot: walk along West Cliff Drive to take in the beautiful coastline, or just watch surfers at the famous Steamer Lane surf break.
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Lighthouse Point Park
700 W Cliff DrThe ultimate Santa Cruz spot: walk along West Cliff Drive to take in the beautiful coastline, or just watch surfers at the famous Steamer Lane surf break.
Essentials
If you have a membership, it is a great place to stock up. This one has an impressive selection of organic produce.
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Costco Wholesale
220 Sylvania AveIf you have a membership, it is a great place to stock up. This one has an impressive selection of organic produce.
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveA locally owned grocery store known for good meat and wine.
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveGraham Hill Mini Market
1450 Graham Hill RdThe closest spot to grab essentials like milk, snacks, or beer.